Some refreshing honesty coming out of Arsenal

Theo Walcott has claimed that Arsenal can no longer hide behind the excuse of a lack of experience.

The 21-year-old has said: “We can’t use the experience as an excuse now, with the experiences we’ve had as a side, we need to go that one step further.It’s been quite hard at times. We had a lot of inuries to big players and it’s been very frustrating. Myself as well, I’ve had a lot of injuries this season. People say if we’d had Robin van Persie we’d have had a bit more of a chance and I’m pretty sure if we’d had him we would have had more of a chance.” The Arsenal wideman added: “Nicklas Bendtner’s done fantastically well. He’s scored goals and that’s what you’ll be judged on,’ the winger added.We had a lot of defensive problems as well, but the likes of Sol Campbell came in and did a great job.So it’s one of those things where we need to hopefully try and look after ourselves a bit better and there’s a different side when you’re off the pitch and we have to look after ourselves and not suffer so many injuries.”

Walcott’s comments come after yet another disappointing season for the Gunners where once again they have failed to challenge for any major honours. Now they even face the possibility of North London rivals Tottenham finishing above them in the league. Arsene Wenger definitely needs to get the cheque book out next season if Arsenal are to compete and with Wenger already saying that he will invest in the team Arsenal fans will be hoping that he sticks to his word.

However it is pleasing that the players have seemingly acknowledged that they now need to step up to the plate and take responsibility. If they keep this attitude up then there is no reason at all that if Wenger makes some good signings, then added to what they’ve got then Arsenal can finally claim a major trophy again next season.

A goalkeeper needs to be a priority for Arsenal and this has been the case for a good for years now, even Jens Lehmann wasn’t that great a ‘keeper. Gianluigi Buffon has been linked with the club but it will be difficult to see him leave Juventus; Joe Hart would be a great signing if they can lure him away from Man City. The back four aside from Gallas can stay how it is, it would be great for Arsenal to give an English player like Gary Cahill the chance to play for Arsenal but whether he is good enough to make the step up to such a club is a doubt. The midfield again can stay almost as it is, providing Cesc Fabregas doesn’t get tempted by a move back to his homeland, then signing one top-quality midfielder should do the trick and another English player like James Milner could be given the chance here. Upfront, Marouane Chamakh looks set to be arriving on a free transfer from Bordeaux. If they can sign another quality forward to partner him like David Villa, then Arsenal would now have a complete team that would be more than good enough to really challenge for the Premiership.

Although this campaign has failed to bare fruit for Arsenal it is still another season that Arsene’s young team have had the chance to grow and learn. With Walcott now saying that inexperience is no longer an option, one would hope that the team have now finally matured into players that have the ability to compete. This coupled with some new players arriving could very well mean that Arsenal finally have a trophy sitting in their cabinet come the end of next season.